Merry Mulch Keeps Trees Around Longer

December 27, 1992

Think of it as a holiday all-you-can-eat for your yard.

Discarded Christmas trees will be available in bite-sized portions Jan. 11-31.

This free ''Merry Mulch'' is a gift from Volusia County officials, who would just as soon not have the biodegradable refuse taking up valuable room in the Tomoka landfill on Tomoka Farms Road, west of Daytona Beach.

''People like it. It smells like the Christmas trees,'' said Margaret Hodge, county recycling coordinator. ''We ask people to try to remove as much tinsel as they can. Make sure to get the ornaments off.''

County workers will start pulling trees out of the garbage in mid-January. State law prohibits yard waste from being dumped in Florida landfills.

Giant chippers will grind them into mulch, which will be dumped in self-serve piles at the landfill. Hodge said residents are encouraged to take a shovel and strong bags or containers for the chipped trees.

Quantities are limited by what you can haul.

''If you want a truckload, let us know ahead of time and we can have a front-end loader there,'' Hodge said.